Overview
Okinawa is a Japanese island in the East China Sea. In Naha City, Shuri Castle is the rebuilt palace of the Ryukyu Kingdom. One of several remaining Ryukyuan fortresses on Okinawa from the Gusuku period, it features the ornate gate of Shureimon.
Description
Collectively known as the Southwest Islands, the Nansei-shotō comprises several chains of semitropical, coral-fringed isles far removed from the concerns of mainland life, where the slow pace and unique cultural heritage of the former Ryūkyū kingdom endure, offering a vibrant contrast to Japan's obsession with modernity, technology, and homogeneity. The Okinawa Prefectural Museum has exhibitions on Okinawa’s natural and cultural heritage, plus a collection of fine art. Kokusai Street is lined with shops and restaurants.